Workforce Solutions

Putting under-served people on a pathway to employment and independence

Restaurant Ready is a national program dedicated to helping people acquire the basic job and life skills necessary to pursue jobs in the restaurant industry, and jump-start a pathway to independence.

Partner community-based organizations provide training in six work-ready competency areas defined by the restaurant industry. The competencies are designed to help participants acquire the skills, discipline and confidence to start a job and stay employed. The community based organizations link individuals to local employers and provide wrap-around services to eliminate any barriers to success.

CT Restaurant Ready Programs

Havenly, New Haven
Mission of St. Vincent DePaul, Waterbury
New Haven Adult Education, New Haven

Become a Restaurant Ready Site

Want to learn more about how your organization can become a Restaurant Ready Site? Email conkling@ctrestaurant.org and we will be in touch with you about the next steps.

Starting Justice-Involved Individuals on a Path to Employment and Independence

Using a Community Collaborative Model, the NRAEF partners with Departments of Corrections, Community-Based Organizations, and State Restaurant Associations to connect adults of all ages with current or previous justice-involvement to career opportunities in the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry.

HOPES partners utilize the NRAEF’s Restaurant Ready training framework to equip individuals, 18 years of age and older, who are currently in correctional facilities, on parole/probation, or with former justice-involvement. Once a participant completes work-readiness and industry-specific training, HOPES helps them gain employment in a local restaurant and/or foodservice establishment. NRAEF works with employers and partnering organizations to help further the professional training and education of HOPES participants through connections to credentials and apprenticeship programs.

Program Information

HOPES Fact Sheet

Second Chance Hiring: Employer Toolkit

The link below provides access to Connecticut’s Second Chance Hiring Employer Toolkit. This resource is designed to help businesses in the state understand the benefits and best practices of hiring individuals with criminal records. It offers guidance on fair chance employment, legal considerations, and tools to create inclusive hiring policies that support workforce development and reduce recidivism.

Employer Toolkit

Become An Employer Partner

As the CT Hospitality Educational Foundation expands its programming, we will be seeking Employer Partners in Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven. Email foundation@ctrestaurant.org to learn more about how your business can become a HOPES Employer Partner.

Let’s nourish the next generation of skilled leaders

The Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation has partnered with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to bring the Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center to Connecticut with nationally recognized apprenticeships in Line Cook, Restaurant Manager and Kitchen Manager.

How It Works

The Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center is helping restaurant owners and managers across the U.S. provide the resources needed to help train and guide their best employees for a fulfilling career in food. We know equipping people with training and career guidance is how we create a more skilled workforce. That is why our nationally recognized apprenticeship program gives you the tools you need to provide those employees with the opportunity they deserve. Let’s find tomorrow’s food leaders, elevate them along the path to a successful career, and raise standards across our industry.

Want to be an Apprenticeship site in Connecticut? Email foundation@ctrestaurant.org to learn how your restaurant can offer apprenticeship opportunities to your employees.

Job Board - COMING SOON!

Whether you're hiring or looking for employment, the CRA Job Board is your source for new opportunities!

JOB POSTINGS POST A JOB SHARE YOUR RESUME VIEW RESUMES

RestaurantsWork

COMING SOON! RestaurantsWork is not a job search engine. It is an is an interactive experience that outlines the many job and career opportunities that exist, in our industry right now! Whether you are a job seeker, business owner, workforce development organization, or economist, this tool has the information you need to understand the limitless career opportunities within the industry.

Training and Certification that Empower Meaningful Career Development

The restaurant landscape is changing, but the key to achieving success is still rooted in people. Now more than ever, restaurants need skilled, motivated workers to rise to the challenge of leading a team.

ServSuccess is designed to advance the industry’s workforce with training and certification that drives career development opportunities for all workers. With online courses, skill and role-specific learning suites, and industry-recognized certifications, ServSuccess is the most comprehensive restaurant career training solution in the nation.

LEARN ABOUT SERVSUCCESS

Employee Relief Funds

In March 2020, the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation, formed the CT Hospitality Employee Relief Fund to provide immediate emergency funds to hospitality workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. CHEF, funded by private, community and individual donations, distributed funds donated to the Employee Relief Fund as grants to hospitality employees during the mandated business shutdowns.

Workforce Training & Wellness

CHEF, in coordination with the CRA, supports workforce training opportunities including ServSafe Manager, ServSafe Alcohol, ServSafe Workplace and ServSuccess. CHEF and the CRA will also working to offer health and wellness and educational opportunities for our members.

Employee Wellness

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by restaurant employees, the CT Hospitality Educational Foundation actively collaborates with a diverse network of organizations to provide comprehensive support services. These vital services encompass a wide range of mental health resources, aiming to foster a more supportive and resilient workforce within the hospitality industry. By leveraging these valuable partnerships, the Foundation strives to ensure that restaurant employees have access to the necessary tools and resources to address their mental well-being and navigate the inherent stressors associated with their profession.

2024: Forge City Works & Jordan Porco Foundation: Suicide Awareness Dinner to raise funds for Mental Health Awareness Training for Hospitality Employees

UPCOMING EMPLOYEE WELLNESS EVENTS

ATTRACT | EMPOWER | ADVANCE | IMPACT